The warmth of Harry Redknapp's embrace with Sir Alex Ferguson at the final whistle betrayed an anxiety about the damage that this doughty draw against Manchester United had wrought upon his fragile Tottenham team.

As if captain Ledley King failing a pre-match fitness test had not been a setback enough, it was compounded by Jonathan Woodgate's withdrawal with a back problem and by a calf tear for Jermaine Jenas, injuries that threaten to leave Redknapp seriously short for Thursday's final Uefa Cup group match against Spartak Moscow.

It is in such a predicament that Redknapp could curse the legacy of predecessor Juande Ramos.

The Spaniard was so particular in his preferences that Adel Taarabt, Ricardo Rocha, Hossam Ghaly, Paul Stalteri and Kevin-Prince Boateng were not even registered for European competition, and yet Tottenham have reached the stage where they need all the cover they can muster.

Roman Pavlyuchenko and Vedran Corluka are both cup-tied, and the manager's only option is to blood his youth players.

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Acknowledging that his squad was "imbalanced", Redknapp had identified each of his January transfer targets, thought to be a maximum of four, but promised that in straitened financial times he would attempt reinforcements through loan signings.

"I hope the chairman [Daniel Levy] thinks that I know what I'm talking about – that's why he brought me in," he said.

"I wouldn't just spend his money for the sake of it, but if we want to go where everyone thinks we should be, then the squad needs strengthening. Without a doubt.

"If the right players aren't available, then don't do anything. I can get loans. I know exactly who I want."

Arguably the best signing Redknapp has made is Tony Parks, Tottenham's 1984 Uefa Cup-winner and the man credited with transforming the fortunes of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

The Brazilian, lampooned for his errors, has benefited hugely from his one-on-one sessions with Parks and was inspired in the teeth of a United onslaught, tipping Ryan Giggs' last-minute free-kick on to the bar and parrying a fearsome shot from Ji-sung Park.

Gomes, who disclosed that he turned to his family for support when the criticism was at its harshest, said: "I feel better now and my form is coming back, step by step.

"For me I just look at my club, I don't look in the newspapers. For me it's important what the manager says and what the players say."

This was meant, of course, not to be a tale about a Brazilian but a Bulgarian, as Dimitar Berbatov endured a poisonous reception on his return to White Hart Lane.

Tottenham supporters cannot forgive the United striker for how he twice refused to play during his unhappy final weeks at their club in August, and booed his every touch.

Ferguson refused to condemn the treatment: "I don't know how hard it was for Berbatov – normally he is a laid-back kind of guy.

"You know you will get some stick. Supporters read the back pages and they will turn up the volume."

The greater worry is that United have scored just two goals in their last four Premier League games but Paul Scholes, who made a second-half substitute's appearance here, said: "We're an attacking team. Chances will come and the goals will come."

Endo game for United

Manchester United will face Gamba Osaka in Thursday’s Club World Cup semi-final after the Asian champions beat Adelaide United 1-0. The winner was scored by Yasuhito Endo, who is considered to be Japan’s finest player.